i've been having some situations in my neck of the woods and wanted to reach out to the cops to get some feedback...what i got was less than impressive....much less satisfactory.
this is an email to:
CMPD North Division Commander:
Captain Gregg Collins
Phone: 704.432.3801
after i sent the email, i finally got someone on the phone at that number.
in that braindead tone you only get from public servants, whoever it was who answered the phone confirmed that police reports are public record and my only recourse.
i had explained that i didn't want to give my home address to people that i know aren't scared to mess with people in crowded situations, although he didnt share my concern.
i mean, if i'm traveling at say 30mph with gloves and helmet on, i have to stop somewhere safe (on beatties ford?), dail the cops and fill out a report.
i have to hope that i don't get accosted while i'm waiting there with a nice shiny scooter and keys.
*then* i have to hand over my address to a guy who has no problem acting out like this in very crowded circumstances.
i'm thinking of a pepper spray gun AND baton hanging from the inside basket of the scooter to knock down *******s all by myself and just keep ridin.
read, enjoy, respond...
thanks!
Begin forwarded message:
From:
Date: December 17, 2008 11:45:28 AM EST
To:
gcollins@cmpd.org
Subject: pedestrians threatening & intentionally stepping in front of my bike on beatties ford.
hi and thanks for your time:
i live near the corner of beatties ford rd. & mt holly-huntersville rd.
weather permitting, i frequently use my scooter to go downtown for work and errands.
i'm not really fond of going down beatties ford to trade, but it's the most direct route into civilization for me.
i ride in the left lane and watch very carefully what's going on in my surroundings down there.
it seems like as much of a social center as anything else, so people *really* don't pay attention...so i'm always on the lookout.
since september, i've had at least 3 bad, and possibly very dangerous, occurrences in the stretch between I-85 and Johnson C Smith U...in broad daylight.
the first thing was as i was on beatties ford crossing the Brookshire overpass.
a group of young black guys were walking on the sidewalk to the right hand side of me, in my direction....far enough ahead that they saw me headed their way.
at about 30 yards, of them steps in front of me and raises his arm like he's gonna sweep or punch at me.
i went to the left of the lane and went around the guy.
i just went on my way, totally bewildered....i wrote it off as an oddity.
the very next day, i'm riding back home and sitting at the stoplight at the corner of JC Smith waiting to turn right on beatties ford.
it's a busy, sunny day and there are cars all around me waiting for the light.
a group of guys jaywalk all around me and one of them gets my attention talking trash and says something like "i almost knocked your ass off *yesterday*"
i didnt say anything but i turned to look at the guy on the sidewalk over my right shoulder, and when i looked back straight ahead, one of them was directly in front of me leaning in my face and gave me a quick "BOO".
obviously then i was sure these guys aren't scared to act out in front of a lot of people.
yesterday, i was headed into town and i had another instance of a guy stepping out in front of me at about 30 yards acting like he was gonna punch me off my moving scooter....right around Atando.
i'm not sure if it was the same guy or not.
when these things happen now, my first concern is staying on 2 wheels and not getting run over.
i got to the corner of beatties ford and rozzelles ferry and pulled up next to a police cruiser and i told them what's been happening to me.
i gave them a weak description of the guy and they said they'd go check it out.
this is situation i feel pretty certain is going to happen to me again, pretty much at any time.
if i file a proper police report like i'd want to do, i'm fairly certain that having my home address handed over so a crazy moron can pay me a visit is not something i am interested in.
my other non-interstate routes into town include statesville and freedom.
what kind of feedback can you give me?
if you'd like to speak to me or have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me.
thank you~!